Eastern Michigan University

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Undergraduate Music Theory Entrance Exams

All students applying for admittance to Eastern Michigan University's undergraduate music programs are required to take either the Music Theory Entrance Examination or the Music Theory Advanced Placement Examination. These exams take place on Department of Music and Dance audition dates. Both exams include an aural skills assessment.

 

Music Theory Entrance Examination

Individuals who have not studied music theory at the college level are required to take the Music Theory Entrance Examination. This exam takes place on Department of Music and Dance audition dates. No advance preparation is necessary, but you must be able to read treble and bass clef.

Entrance Examination Outline
  • melody pitch identification
  • melody rhythm identification
  • melody pitch error detection
  • identification of written pitches (treble and bass clefs)
  • pitch singing
  • melodic fragment singing
  • sight singing of a short melody
  • sight reading of short rhythmic patterns

 

Music Theory Advanced Placement Examination

Individuals who have studied college-level music theory previously are encouraged to take the Music Theory Advanced Placement Examination. This exam takes place on Department of Music and Dance audition dates. Students are advised to review music theory and aural skills materials they have previously studied prior to taking the exam. Transfer students who elect not to take the Music Theory Advanced Placement Examination are required to take the Music Theory Entrance Examination (see above).

Advanced Placement Examination Outline

Semester 1

  • clef identification
  • pitch writing
  • notation
  • scales
  • intervals
  • triads
  • scale degree names
  • key signatures
  • phrases
  • cadences
  • periods
  • sequences
  • Roman numeral analysis
  • nonharmonic tones
  • textures
  • species counterpoint

Semester 2

  • seventh chords
  • secondary dominants
  • four-part voice leading
  • modulation
  • Roman numeral analysis
  • two- and three-part forms

Semester 3

  • sixteenth-century motets
  • eighteenth-century fugues
  • borrowed chords
  • Neapolitan sixth chord
  • augmented sixth chords
  • Roman numeral analysis
  • sonata form
  • variation technique

Semester 4

  • rondo forms
  • 9th, 11th, and 13th chords
  • altered dominants
  • chromatic mediants
  • common-tone diminished 7th chords
  • Roman numeral analysis
  • non-tonal scales
  • non-tertian chords
  • set theory
  • twelve-tone technique
Aural skills assessment